Tampa Fends Off Queens To Remain Undefeated

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The University of Tampa (5-0) men's basketball team prevailed against Queens University of Charlotte (1-4), defeating the Royals by a score of 63-59 at the Eckerd College Thanksgiving Classic at the McArthur Center.

Tampa aided its cause late in the first half, grabbing a 10-point lead with 4:04 to play in the half and a 33-23 advantage. The Spartans took a 37-29 lead to the half and led for the majority of the second half.

Queens battled its way back into the game, tying the game at 50-50 with 7:03 remaining in regulation. The Royals would later take its first lead of the half at 54-53 with 3:27 on the clock.

Trailing 55-53, UT's Callum Townsend hit a pair of 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to put the Spartans on top 59-55 with 2:08 on the clock. Tampa's defense came through as the Spartans were just 2-for-6 from the free throw line inside the final 1:29. In that time, UT forced a turnover as the Royals connected on just 1-of-3 shots from the field.

Leading scorer and preseason All-American Rashad Callaway recorded double figures for the fifth time this season, leading the Spartans with 20 points. The senior guard also had a team-high seven assists in 35 minutes of action.

Townsend finished with 15 points, all on 3-pointers as he had a 5-for-7 showing from beyond the arc. Glyn Hunter also scored double figures for the second straight contest, finishing with 10 points to go with a team-leading eight rebounds.

Tampa will face the University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in its final game at the Thanksgiving Classic at Eckerd. Live stats will be available through www.tampaspartans.com. To view live stats, click on the men's basketball schedule and follow the link for stats on the specific game.

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